Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Change in Agricultural Production and Adaptation in Relation to Livelihood of Forest Dependent Community in Madhupur Region of Bangladesh

T Afroz
Dept. of Agroforestry and Environmental Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh;

Rana Roy
Dept. of Agroforestry and Environmental cience, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

J Ferdousi
Lecturer
Dept. of Horticulture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh

M Z Rahman
Dept. of Agronomy and Haor Agriculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh.

F Yeasmin
Assistant Professor
Dept of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, BSMRAU, Gazipur-1706

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Sal (Shorea robusta) forest, one of the important forests located in Madhupur tract. A study was conducted on forest dependent people in Madhupur Upazila of Tangail district to know the people dependency on forest product and change in their production system in relation to livelihood of the people living in the studied location. Although the crop yield was increased, the incidence of pest and disease in agricultural crop production was a major problem. Most of the people (62%) faced food insecurity (sometimes) in a year in the studied area and in that situation they were reported to cope up themselves by borrowing loan, intensified production in next year etc. Both livestock and other animal resources were found to decrease in the studied area and the major reason of it opined by 100% respondents were decrease of grazing land and fodder. To maintain the forest condition, new plantation with participatory approach, restriction on harvesting of forest products (Restricted by the Department of Forestry) etc. were reported as good adaptation measures. Similarly, to protect the agricultural crops various adaptation measures like changing crop species, practicing mulching, mixed cropping etc. were followed by the respondents of the community to sustain as well as to promote the livelihood condition of forest dependent community of the studied area.

Keywords: Forest, Change in agriculture, Adaptation

Location: Madhupur Upazila of Tangail district

Start Date: 00-09-2011

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Income generation

Objectives:

The study was conducted to know change in agricultural production and adaptation in relation to livelihood of Forest Dependent Community in Madhupur Region of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in two villages namely, Matonginagar and Joloy under Madhupur Upazila of Tangail District in the vicinity of Sal forest. Out of the total 202 households from two villages, 50 respondents were interviewed through pre-tested schedules in September 2011. Several Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were held to verify the information and to discuss the important issues. The major parameters included in the study were people dependency on forest product and change in agricultural production in the studied area. These issues were examined through a formal questionnaire survey and close interactions with respondents. The collected information was then verified and updated through FGDs. Elderly and experienced persons of the localities were also consulted. Major adaptation measures undertaken by the local community and possible steps to be undertaken to sustain the livelihood were also studied. All the collected data were summarized, scrutinized, coded and recorded in statistical package for social science (SPSS). Finally relevant tables were prepared according to the objectives of the study and nature of the data.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agriculturist. 7(1): 7–13, 2014, ISSN 1812-4631

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In Madhupur region, communities living near the sal forest area, now a days, their degree of dependency on forest products specially on timber was very low. So they had shifted from forestry to crop farming, and as a result coverage of agricultural crop production had increased. People also changed in growing new crops for more profit and high yield. In the studied area, crop yield was increased due to use of fertilizer and pesticide but respondents also claimed that the use of excessive amount of fertilizer and pesticide decreased the grain taste. In crop production pest and disease were the severe problem and farmers controlled it by using pesticide mainly. To protect the major problems and to minimize the loss of crop production in the studied area farmers had already adopted many ways like increasing homestead plantation against flood and land slides, practicing irrigation to overcome drought, using mulch to conserve moisture content in soil etc.

Knowledge Management: Journal